2_Washington Redskins1

St Louis Rams Gameday HQ

NFC EAST
REDSKINS
2014 STRENGTHS:
• Improved pass protection, versatile ground game,
wide-receiving depth
Redskins Offense
After a dazzling 2012 season that produced points and yards
galore, Washington slumped considerably last year, scoring
nearly a touchdown a game less. It’s convenient to blame the
troubles entirely on quarterback Robert Griffin III, who was
clearly not healthy and nowhere nearly as effective as he was
in 2012. But there were other factors, not the least of which was
the scheme, which seemed to be lacking under head coach Mike
Shanahan and coordinator Kyle Shanahan. Both are gone, and
it will be interesting to see what new head man Jay Gruden and
his coordinator, Sean McVay, who coached the tight ends in D.C.
for the past few years, come up with.
One thing that must improve is the offensive front. Griffin
III, now on his third ACL, is still mobile, but he isn’t going to be
galloping around on a regular basis. He was sacked 38 times last
year, and backup Kirk Cousins was dropped five times. That’s too
many. Trent Williams remains a stalwart at left tackle and was a
Pro Bowler last year, and center Kory Lichtensteiger is solid. So is
right guard Chris Chester. But rookie right tackle Morgan Moses
needs to deliver right away.
As for Griffin, his year was far from horrible. He threw for
3,203 yards, but he had just 16 TDs against 12 interceptions. If his
knee is healthy, he will be able to move the ball well, but his days
of running a pile of zone read plays are likely over. He’ll have to
2014 WEAKNESSES:
• Suspect pass defense, inconsistent punting
WASHINGTON
be more of a pocket passer, and he has the skill to do that. Cousins
is a more than capable backup.
The addition of big-play receiver DeSean Jackson will help.
Teaming him with Pierre Garcon (113 catches) and Santana Moss
will give Griffin plenty of options. Tight end Jordan Reed is a
reliable target, too. And it helps that Alfred Morris will be back
to run the ball. He gained 1,275 yards, scored seven times and
averaged 4.6 yards/carry last year. He doesn’t have great speed,
but he is reliable and consistent. Backup Roy Helu is solid as a
ballcarrier but really helps out in the passing game.
Offensive Player to Watch
The fact that Philadelphia let Jackson go without getting so
much as a late-round draft pick for him speaks to how frustrated
the team was with the wideout. Jackson was accused by
“sources” of not being on time and for having a suspect attitude.
It’s not the first time Jackson has been considered a distraction. A
few years ago, he admittedly didn’t play hard all the time when
he was upset with his contract.
But Jackson seems happy now, and Washington is getting a
player who can go deep (he averaged 16.2 yards/catch last year)
and caught 82 passes last year, the most in his career. Jackson
isn’t going to make a living going over the middle, and press
coverage can bother him, but he has great speed and the ability
to help the Washington offense become much more dangerous.
Redskins Defense
The big story on this side of the ball is the retirement of inside
linebacker London Fletcher after a 16-year career that included
the last seven in Washington. Though his effectiveness dropped
over the past few seasons, he remained a vibrant leader and a
fixture. Replacing him won’t be easy.
That’s why Washington signed Darryl Sharpton to a one-year
deal during the offseason. Perry Riley is set at one inside spot
in Jim Haslett’s 3-4 defense, and the team hopes that Sharpton,
who made 87 tackles last year, will be able to produce in a similar
manner next to Riley. The outside linebackers are top shelf. Brian
Orakpo had 10 sacks last year from the right side, while Ryan
Kerrigan had 8.5 from the left. If Sharpton delivers, this will be a
DUSTIN BRADFORD/GETTY IMAGES SPORT
Robert Griffin III